No 'i' in Target

As a golf professional, I tend to read a lot about the golf swing. This helps me to see things from other points of view and to consider whether it may be useful in some of my own teaching and/or playing. One thing that surprises me is the very common reference to impact (when the club head strikes the ball) as the focus of our golf swing. There are countless books and magazine articles which espouse the importance of “have your hands ahead of the ball at impact”, “focus on the back of the ball”, “hold your lag for impact”, and the list goes on. There is no doubt in my mind that good impact conditions are most important when we swing a golf club. For the purposes of playing golf, it is the only thing that matters- impact is the sole reason that your golf ball is going anywhere in the first place. But by making it the focus of our swing while we swing, we can be doing more damage than good.


Let’s think about some other sports and their examples of “impact”. Consider for example a major league baseball pitcher. Impact in a pitch could be likened to the point at which the pitcher lets go of the ball (as in golf’s impact, the pitcher has no more control over what the ball does after this point). Now, try to imagine a pitcher focusing on when he should let go of the ball during his pitch. I would suggest that he would have little success getting it anywhere near home plate. No, the pitcher’s focus is, and should be, his target- the catcher’s mitt.

Now consider tennis. Impact in tennis occurs when the racquet strikes the ball. Good impact would be in the middle of the racquet, with a racquet loft, angle and speed that gets the ball back into the opposition’s court. By having impact as our focus, however, we would rarely be able to make these conditions happen. Watch a good tennis player and you will witness that they are focused on where they want the ball to go (their target), not trying to achieve the above mentioned impact conditions.

Next time you are at the range with a friend, try this exercise. Pick up a golf ball and stand about 15-20 feet away from your friend. Toss the ball slowly back and forth (overhand or underhand) focusing only on the hand your friend is holding out to catch it. After a few turns, try to change your focus to the exact moment that you let go of the ball. (We need to be precise here to override any natural instinct you may have for throwing the ball- this will better replicate the level of focus that most golfers are giving to impact in their current swings.) What happened to the quality of your throws? Did you notice a change in the natural rhythm of your throwing action?

When impact is our focus in golf, we tend to lift up out of our swing and make a more piston-like golf stroke at the ball that’s on the ground. The focus is on “striking the ball” so we do things that lift us up in order to give us power to come down on the ball.

It is my belief that the reason young toddlers are so adept at learning sport is because they are completely target focused. Spending time playing with my three year old son has quickly taught me that toddlers need very little in the way of formal instruction to achieve their desired result. “Roll the ball to Daddy”, “Throw it to Mommy”, “Kick it to Grandpa”, and “Hit it over here” have inspired fantastic impact conditions, whatever the activity may be.

So what does this mean for us golfers?

• We need to be precise when selecting a target on the golf course. Picking a distant target that is beyond our actual target can encourage a more complete swing and improve impact.

• Keep the target your focus while you are swinging. This will help to override the conscious brain’s desire to control the swing. While on the course for a social round, instead of keeping track of the number of strokes, try scoring yourself on your ability to stay connected with your target while swinging. This will free you up to make your best swings (and will often result in lower scores).

• When at the practice range, always practice to a target. It is the only way we can practice like we play and is our only chance to obtain feedback from each shot.

• Finally, visit your local PGA professional for the help you need to ensure you are using the proper fundamentals for your golf swing.

Have fun with your new-found freedom in your golf swing. Now get out there and enjoy this great game!

Art or Science?

HELP!  Golf has been taken over by scientists. 

Don't get me wrong, technology has made huge advances with equipment, especially the golf ball.  I certainly enjoy hitting it straighter and farther (despite missing the sweet spot).  There is some element of guilt, however, as I curse my 'missed' drive only to get some snide looks from my playing partners as the ball sails down the middle of the fairway.  "I didn't deserve that" is what I'm left thinking.

Despite all the gains from technological advances in equipment, however, we have yet to see any substantial reduction in amateur's handicaps.  Technology such as ultra slow-motion cameras and NASA-like launch monitors has certainly improved our knowledge of the golf swing and impact conditions.  This has yet to make it any easier for us to actually swing the golf club (and I would suggest that to most amatuers focusing on all this information actually hinders their ability).  It seems that the more information we get about the golf swing, the harder it is to actually play well.  What is the point of knowing your angle of attack, your club head speed, the plane of your swing and the direction your club face is pointing at impact if it disassociates you from "feeling" your golf swing and from paying attention to what the golf ball does as it comes off your club?

This is not to say that there is no room for coaching, quite the opposite.  There is a desparate need for appropriate coaching.  The trick, then, is to get back to swinging.  Look at your target and get out of your own way.  We all have a workable golf swing in us.  Try to connect with that and leave the scientists in their labs- I'm going outside to enjoy the game.

More to come...